mandalabunny's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome book that sums up some really messed up (although very interesting) experiments. Makes a great gift for someone into messed up stuff but definitely not for everyone.
malmahmeed's review against another edition
2.0
Yeah… OK.
I expected it to be more science-y. Could’ve at least explained what was going on in some of the “successful” experiments and how they were even possible to begin with.
It delivered what it set out to but that’s just collecting bizarre experiments (many of them are just plain boring) from around the internet, put them in as little context, make some- and I cannot stress this enough- very bad jokes, and slapping them together in a book format.
If your science book could be put together in a YouTube top 10-style video, I’m sorry, but lol.
I expected it to be more science-y. Could’ve at least explained what was going on in some of the “successful” experiments and how they were even possible to begin with.
It delivered what it set out to but that’s just collecting bizarre experiments (many of them are just plain boring) from around the internet, put them in as little context, make some- and I cannot stress this enough- very bad jokes, and slapping them together in a book format.
If your science book could be put together in a YouTube top 10-style video, I’m sorry, but lol.
gemmaduds's review
2.0
I thought this would be really quite funny - but most of the experiments covered turned out to be really quite cruel and sadistic. Boese doesn't really go into any depth further than describing the experiments themselves; there's no real analysis and no real commentary on them.
Another thing that bothered me a little was the representation of ladies in this book - described mostly by their level of attractiveness, even when not relevant to the experiment taking place. One of the only times Boese does in fact offer his own opinion is when he suggests more women should stand scantily clad by the roadside, and he writes the word 'babes' at one point too, which instantly put me off.
It's not a complete loss though - Elephants on Acid is a quick read and it is definitely entertaining if you're not squeamish over animal beheaddings and electrified wives. I just wish it had more substance to it and a little more humour.
Another thing that bothered me a little was the representation of ladies in this book - described mostly by their level of attractiveness, even when not relevant to the experiment taking place. One of the only times Boese does in fact offer his own opinion is when he suggests more women should stand scantily clad by the roadside, and he writes the word 'babes' at one point too, which instantly put me off.
It's not a complete loss though - Elephants on Acid is a quick read and it is definitely entertaining if you're not squeamish over animal beheaddings and electrified wives. I just wish it had more substance to it and a little more humour.